The world will tell us that we only live once, but the truth is we actually live twice, and our eternal life is directly impacted by our life on earth.

Key Takeaway

Give. Serve. Share Christ.

This week Pastor Chris Hodges shared some biblical wisdom with us about how we can feel confident in the account we will give when we are called to stand before God. Just like taking a practice test for an exam, we can prepare our lives by reflecting on two questions:

• Question #1: What did you do with My Son Jesus?
• Question #2: What did you do with what I gave you?

When we develop a deep and personal relationship with Jesus and accept him as our savior our name is automatically written in the Book of Life, and we can rest assured that we will be with him in Heaven. However, the rewards God wants to bestow on us are based on what we did with the unique gifts, talents and blessings he has given us in this life.

The best account we can give to God at the end of our days is that we knew Jesus personally, and once we found him, we leveraged our lives to make an eternal difference by giving what we had, serving others with our gifts, and sharing the Good News about Jesus with everyone we can.

Pray

Prayer is our time to talk to God. Let this prayer inspire your conversations with God this week.

Father, please forgive us for thinking of ourselves more highly than we should. Loving you with everything we have and loving others as ourselves is obedience to you, and it opens wisdom for the long game.

Help us see your will, through your eyes, in your way. Lord, the good news of your love and forgiveness is for everyone, not just who we choose. You gave your best so please empower us to give our best. One day, we’ll answer to you for our life. We were given the message of reconciliation.

Holy Spirit, please lead us in your way to do that. Show us how to live like Jesus as his ambassadors and leave all the judgment to him. In Jesus’ name, Amen..

Worship

Bring the worship set from this weekend into your Slot and Spot.

Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ – Matthew 22:37-39 NLT

• Praise – Elevation Worship
• Bless God – Brooke Ligertwood
• Good Shepherd – Joe L. Barnes

Learn

This week, read through the scripture shared in the message and dive deeper into God’s word.

• Romans 14:10-12
• Hebrews 9:27
• Revelation 20:11-12
• Matthew 7:21-23
• 2 Corinthians 5:10
• Matthew 16:27
• Revelation 22:12
• 2 Corinthians 9:11
• John 15: 8, 11
• Romans 12:6
• James 5:19-20

Reflect

Reflect on these questions during your Slot and Spot/discussions with others.

The world tells us that we only live once, so we should live for ourselves. What choices have you made in the past with a YOLO mindset?

• How do you think those choices would have been different with a YOLT (You Only Live Twice) mindset?

Have you ever experienced “religion” without also experiencing a personal relationship with Jesus?

• When and how did you come to truly meet Jesus?
• How have both of those experiences impacted your walk with God?

Take some time to reflect on the 2 Questions Test that Pastor Chris described.

• Being very honest, how would you answer each question right now?
  • What did you do with My Son Jesus?
  • What did you do with what I gave you?
• As you pray over these questions, what next steps do you feel called to take?

Read 2 Corinthians 9:11. God blesses us so that we can be generous to others.

• What do you have (time, money, gifts etc.) that you are intentionally giving to benefit those around you and the Kingdom of Heaven?
• What impact do you think your gifts have on pointing others toward Jesus?
• What are you currently holding back from sharing with others?

Next Steps

• Give freely what you have been given. Learn more about what it looks like to give at The Journey and pray about how God would have you make this a part of your faith.
• Serve others with your unique gifts and talents. Attend Plugged In to learn how we do that together at The Journey.
• Share Jesus with people in your life by inviting them to join you for church next week.